A police force has launched an internal investigation after officers were caught sending a round-robin email mocking the residents of a 'Shameless' style estate.

Thames Valley Police officers shared a fake news report imagining the effects of an earthquake on a council estate in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

The forwarded email reports that the natural disaster 'decimated' the area - 'causing in excess of £17.55 worth of damage'.

Fishermead in Milton Keynes: The round-robin email mocked residents of the estate

In the fake report, a resident of the estate of Fishermead is interviewed following the earthquake: 'The 15-year-old mother-of-four, who has a daughter named Chardonnay-Destiny, says: "Some residents in Fishermead were woken before their giros arrived".'

The email ends with a cash appeal and a list of what residents of the estate could buy with donations.

Edward Butler-Ellis: He was a Tory councillor at the time the email was circulated

This includes £20 for a fake MOT and £16 for 200 'Regal ciggies from the back of Tomo's lorry'.

Acting chief superintendent of Thames Valley Police Nikki Ross said an internal investigation into the email was being carried out.

She said: 'Thames Valley Police does not in any way condone this kind of behaviour from officers or staff.

'I have referred the matter to our professional standards department and I expect my officers and staff to maintain the highest level of professionalism at all times.'

The email was circulated by former Tory councillor Edward Butler-Ellis following a real earthquake which shook homes in east England in February 2008.

He forwarded the email to his mother, PC Emma Pullen, who then sent it to other Thames Valley Police officers.

Mr Butler-Ellis, who was a member of Milton Keynes Council at the time, admitted it was 'maybe stupid' to pass on an email which mocked estate residents.

He said: 'These emails do not incite any hatred, I don't think I'm doing anything illegal.

'Clearly, some people would find it funny and I quite understand why some people would find it offensive.